The Carrollton Bus Disaster | A Short Documentary | Fascinating Horror

[@iusedtowrite6667]

Drunk driving incidents scare me. You could do everything right and still lose you life just cause someone wanted to drive drunk.

[@flyingmintbunny1286]

Exactly.. so scary.. a month ago my mums friend (very close family friend ) got hit by a drunk driving teenage girl who and i kid you not, got no jail time and only a short interview because she was crying and was soo sorry.. her husband became paralysed from the waist down, as an ambulance worker, that more or less could put him out of work.. it's shocking!

[@donwoodward7944]

They don't "want" to drive drunk. They usually simply think they are sober enough to drive. I let one of my friends (who was clearly drunk) drive home one night. Somehow he convinced me he'd be fine. He made it home, but I've always felt guilty about it. I should have insisted on driving him home, but he lived pretty far out of my way. Even though nothing bad happened, I've always regretted my decision and if I'm ever in that situation again, I'll never let the person drive. I worried about him for the rest of the night and called him first thing in the morning to make sure he was OK. I made the wrong choice and we both got lucky. My heart goes out to anyone who has lost someone to a drunk driver. Look out for your friends and relatives, especially with the holidays approaching, and do anything you can to prevent a senseless tragedy! It's always worth it. Go the extra mile.

[@John-ns9lr]

Yeah unfortunately they have very lax rules regarding drunk driving in the US for some reason.

[@lunayoshi]

@@John-ns9lr this was the '80s though and laws have gotten much stricter since then, so that's something at least.

[@John-ns9lr]

@@lunayoshi most states have pretty high allowed alcohol levels still. And seems to be more socially acceptable to be drunk driving as well

[@Ammanthiel]

When I was a toddler, my father and his friend were driving home after an afternoon shift at a factory he worked at, and they were hit by a drunk driver. I don’t know what happened to his friend, but my fathers been disabled my entire life as a result, and hasn’t been able to work. Drunk drivers make me so, so, infuriatingly angry. I’m very lucky to still have my dad. I get emotional when it comes to this topic. I can’t imagine the pain the victims families have gone through.

[@xxboonisbadfortnitexx1549]

Yelp

[@xxboonisbadfortnitexx1549]

Same my dad lost a friend to a drunk driver his friend was 17 years old and 20 days from Turing 18

[@xxboonisbadfortnitexx1549]

Sad

[@OutsideGamerGirl]

These incidents infuriate me, too. I've never been personally affected. Yet, my heart goes out to each family who had to suffer from irresponsible, pig-headed, imbeciles. Seems like the majority drunk drivers get to walk away and enjoy life while their victims either pass away or live with life-altering disabilities. When will people learn not to drink and drive?

[@22161]

I am really sorry for what happened to your Dad and your family. Maybe just maybe one or more learned from this.

[@MajBuffalo]

I drove school busses for charter trips just like this and it feels so routine to have as much as 84 kids on board that you forget just how many families place their most precious thing in life in your hands. Good on the bus driver for trying his best.

[@jayskicksnfits9372]

*buses*

[@sadsalad01]

I’m from Radcliff and every year, from elementary school to high school, we had a survivor from the accident come in and tell us the story. Let me tell you, it got so much worse the older you got because you start to understand exactly what happened to the kids. That survivor is a bus driver for the high school in Radcliff I had him a couple times for band trips and he truly cared for each and everyone of us.

[@qx4n9e1xp]

♥️

[@lemon0sugar]

I'm from Radcliff too, so I know what you mean

[@Tortilla_Pizzeria_Pixels]

My question is, how can the survivor even be a bus driver after they almost died in one. I would think that he would have some kind of PTSD

[@lemon0sugar]

@@Tortilla_Pizzeria_Pixels he actually talks about this, he did it to confront the trauma, it took him a LONG time

[@Tortilla_Pizzeria_Pixels]

@@lemon0sugar I feel bad for the guy, glad he's better now tho

[@mikegilbert2329]

This accident still haunts me today. I grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and used to drive this path to Kings Island many times each year. My friends and I went to the park the same day as this church group and were probably ten or fifteen minutes ahead of them on I-71 on the way home. I didn't hear about this until the next day when it was all over the news. I even had a few classes with Harold Dennis Jr. in college at U of K. What this video missed was that this accident became the battle cry for drunk driving reform. Prior to this, a DUI was merely a slap on the wrist with no actual consequences like license suspension or jail time. It also got the blood alcohol limit down from 0.10 to 0.08.

[@silentjay01]

A first offense DUI that doesn't result in an accident is still just a misdemeanor and slap on the wrist here in Wisconsin thanks in large part to the powerful Tavern League lobbying group.

[@Fangirl1327]

If memory serves Harold was a manager on the football team. He was an inspiration to the entire UK community 💙🤍

[@katefarr2036]

I’m from Madisonville, and remember this horrible tragedy well. I remember the changing of DUI laws, and safety standards.

[@silentjay01]

@Alice Kae As Phillip DeFranco said about the Henry Ruggs DUI crash, "It wasn't an accident; it was an inevitability."

[@evil1by1]

@Alice Kae 💯 Drunk driving and texting while driving is premeditated murder. You know what your doing is deadly and your so incredibly fucking selfish that you do it anyway. All because you think your wants are more important that other people's lives...and they get away with it because of all the apologists. Boo hoo wouldn't want to ruin their life so screw all the people they destroyed.

[@gatorfan17268]

I lost many friends in this bus accident. Many of the students went to Radcliff Middle School where I went. I only learned about the accident on Monday morning when I went to school. Will never forget that day. Most of the teachers did not teach, we just basically went from class to class and then just sat there talking. Lori Holzer and Crytsal Uhey will always be with me and in my thoughts.

[@texastea5686]

I cannot even imagine. Reading your comment gave me chills =(

[@pcguy13x]

i was in the 6th grade at Radcliff elementary school, 12 years old. when this accident happened. i found out about it Sunday mourning from the news, getting ready for church. a lot of the kids went to my church then, so it was discussed at church too. i lived like 2 blocks from the church that owned the bus. many of the kids that were on the bus lived in the same trailer park as me. my best friend's sister died that night. she had became a really good friend of mine as well. i pretty much know who everyone was, most i did not know well. most of the kids i know, survived, but the girl i mentioned. this accident is why i am so strongly against drunk driving to this day. i can not believe is has been 34 years ago today. this is a sad day for a lot of us!!! i remember that monday morning at schoo as welll, they passed out detailed articles about it and school was just us kids and teacher mourning. the empty sits that would never be filled again with our friends. i will never forget that monday.

[@BISMARCK-ks5it]

WOW 😳😣 nobody told you prior to going to school. I'm sorry for your loss I'm sorry that children have to die or that anyone has to die in order for safety regulations to be brought into place RIP to your friends lives cut short far too early.

[@truthseeker2321]

@@BISMARCK-ks5it It was in the local news cycle of both Cincinnati and Louisville for weeks, starting just one hour after the accident, so I'm puzzled how people who knew people involved, didn't know what happened until they heard about it at school the following Monday.

[@SMGJohn]

If only your friends were superior European übermench they would have been calm and saved everyone, instead they were unfortunate enough to be born american.

[@grapeshot]

I remembered this disaster vividly. At 14 years old I was on my way back from a camping trip and they announced it over the radio that there had been a fiery bus crash in Kentucky with several fatalities. Years later when I drove for Greyhound. I would drive past the sign outside of Carrollton Kentucky and it said site of the fatal bus crash. In the month of May the family members would leave flowers hanging all over the side.

[@kiryuandgodzillagirl]

I have seen it driving by and it is heart breaking

[@caninecurry5823]

I swear you're another "Just a guy without a mustache" account... is this some kind of AI algorithm or something ?

[@Frenchblue8]

@@caninecurry5823 No. I think it's called some people live or work in that area of Kentucky. Whatever drug you're on, I think it's your civic duty to warn people against it

[@deletdis6173]

@@Frenchblue8 They're saying that they see the guy comment everywhere lol

[@karaamundson3964]

My bf & I drove past often as well. 💐

[@orangehoof]

I applaud Mr. Pearman's bravery. By trying to use the fire extinguisher, he was providing time for the rest of the passengers to exit and maybe realized that he, himself, would probably not survive. It always amazes me how few drunk drivers actually die in all the mayhem they cause. Yet so many innocent people die from their recklessness. If you want to get drunk, do it at home. If you want to have a good time out, limit your drinking and if you are going with some buddies, appoint a "designated driver" to make sure everyone gets home safely.

[@Straswa]

Well said.

[@evil1by1]

Or call a fucking taxi. Amazes me that people can blow 200 at the bar but suddenly are too broke for a 40 taxi. Goes to show what a drunk thinks about others. Your not even worth 40

[@stevie-ray2020]

@@evil1by1 In many places taxi-drivers will refuse to take a passenger who is extremely drunk for fear that they'd throw up inside their cab, meaning having to return to their base to clean it, which costs them effort & lost fares!

[@stevie-ray2020]

One reason drunk-drivers will often survive is the 'rag-doll' effect, where their muscles are relaxed & are thrown around limply, as opposed to the natural reaction to brace yourself in a collision!

[@txmetalhead82xk]

Yes, it is astonishing how he survived. Maybe, he passed out after the impact?

[@AuthenticWe]

Can I just say how brief you keep your stories and never repeating the same information is a breath eeee of fresh air

[@jake12466]

"Breath," not "breathe." "Breathe" is a verb.

[@AuthenticWe]

@@jake12466 I know how to take action, I don’t need your lessons mind your own

[@serendpity3478]

It's because he's a real person who does real research and narrates his own videos. So many other channe;ls now are AI generated scripts & voices, put out by content farms for cheap views.

[@Diptera_Larvae]

The family that refused the money was a boss move, but they were dealing with the Ford Motor Company after all, the same organisation that did a cost-benefit analysis and worked out it was cheaper to pay out victims and their families than to fix a problem with the Ford Pinto, and allow other people to burn to death. Great video as always! The ones that pinpoint sweeping safety changes always stick with me.

[@dangerousandy]

I was going to mention the Pinto fiasco myself.

[@twistoffate4791]

I have mixed feelings. It was the church's decision to stick with that old bus.

[@blue_lancer_es]

6 people died due the pinto/bobcat.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

@@blue_lancer_es No, more like 6-0. At least. And one is too many when it's clearly THEIR fault.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

See Unsafe at Any Speed by Ralph Nader and Still Unsafe at Any Speed by Brian Chase. You'll see not much has changed.

[@oliviaaddams3454]

Years ago I watched a documentary on this incident. They interviewed a man whose whole family had been on the bus-both of his daughters and his wife was also there as a chaperone. After the crash, he waited impatiently to hear news about the survivors. As the hours passed, and it became more and more likely all his loved ones were dead, he began begging God to spare just one of them. Unfortunately none of his family members survived. Listening to him recall that night sent shivers down my spine. He somehow found the will to go on and eventually found love again with a woman who had also lost a child in the same accident. So many lives were irrevocably changed that night.

[@ltraina3353]

I wonder if he still believes in god.

[@acetechnical6574]

@@ltraina3353 well sure, why not? I mean it makes perfect sense that an all powerful, all knowing being who is super concerned about what some primitive organisms think of him would not take any steps to save any of the organisms who were there in his name. Letting all these other good christians die horribly is clearly a much better outcome, and we should thank lord jesus god christ for it.

[@sempergumby2341]

@@acetechnical6574 indeed must have been His will. They must have lied to their parents or had a gay thought at some point. I tell you what, I would sleep in and spend every Sunday doing whatever the fuck I wanted after that. Church and "God" would be the furthest thing from my mind forevermore.

[@0ptomisticprime]

@@ltraina3353 maybe. It wasn't God that drove drunk. We're given a brain for a reason.

[@edward3320]

@@ltraina3353 Probably, because no part of Christianity is "If I'm a Christian good things will happen and no tragedy will ever befall me". You can pray but that doesn't mean things will happena how you want them.

[@mariebelladonna437]

I'm from Louisville, Kentucky. Everyone around here remembers the "Carrollton Bus Crash", as we call it. I was only 8 years old when it happened. But I vividly remember the news footage, both of the crash, and of Larry Mahoney's trial and conviction. I remember the terrifying stories of the kids who didn't survive, and the equally terrifying stories of the ones who did, but with horrible injuries. I remember the outrage, and the horror and sadness. And I remember our own parents being afraid to allow us to go on bus trips, for some time after. I've driven on I-71, and been past the spot where the crash happened, many, many times. There's a plaque there, a historical marker, on the side of the interstate, put there in memory of those who died in the crash. There are crosses, I think, and often flowers, balloons, and stuffed animals, by the sign. And always, for me, there is a feeling of heartbreak, and a slight sense of fear, driving by, and looking at, the very spot where so many people lost their lives. The spot where so many families' very existence as they knew it, was forever shattered, never to be the same, ever again. In just an instant. By one man who made a terrible, horrible, devastating decision. I pray that these families have found some peace. And that the knowledge that their loved ones passing helped bring about safety changes, that may help others live, brings some comfort. May the ones who left us, continue to rest in peace. As an aside, I'd like to add that, though the one actual picture this video used of Larry Mahoney during his legal proceedings makes him look a bit defiant, he was, as they said, remorseful. More than that, in actuality, he was devastated by what he'd done. He not only destroyed the lives of those kids and families, that fateful night. He destroyed his own, too. He doesn't so much "live a quiet life", as he does hide, from the shame of what he did. He has to live with that, for the rest of his life-though I'm sure there have been plenty of times he's wished he'd died. He says he felt like he was in a nightmare, when they told him what had happened, and that it's a nightmare he's never woken up from. His remorse doesn't make things okay, of course. The nightmare he lives, is nothing, compared to that of the kids and families he hurt. And some might say he deserves the emotional torment. But I still think it's better than him not caring at all. Just thought that was worth mentioning.

[@nicholasschroeder3678]

I just can't believe he only served 10 years. It just shows what a screwed up orientation we have to drinking. He committed a mass murder of children, and he does a dime. Crazy. And he had a trail? He fought it? Crazier still.

[@breannastrickland2393]

Well said

[@TheMouseAvenger]

Well-said! :-) I agree with you wholeheartedly! ^_^

[@texasbluegrass567]

The last time I drove by there the marker had been removed.

[@mariebelladonna437]

@@texasbluegrass567 I haven't been by there in a while. I wonder why on earth would they do that?? That's awful! Unless they're maybe doing some roadwork there, or replacing it with a better one. Either way, I hope they put it back soon. Those poor kids (and their families) deserve to be remembered. Always.

[@tomjoad3868]

I grew up in Cincinnati and remember when this happened as a teenager. For years after you could still see the double tire marks on the highway from the bus screeching to a halt. It was a visual reminder that always stuck with me.

[@97widerider]

Tom I am from am from Louisville and was 21 when this happened. Unless I missed it, there isn't much of a memorial sign there today either, just a green and white sign stating it was the site of the accident.

[@pantherplatform]

You should see the pair of skid marks I left after chili night...

[@peterf.229]

I was 10 in 1988, and had just moved from Cincinnati Oh to the suburbs west of Philly . I saw this accident on the news . It was horrible

[@Studio23Media]

I've driven by that sign dozens of times and never knew the story behind it.

[@Studio23Media]

@@97widerider Yes, you are correct. I've driven past this spot a few times a year for 20+ years and there's just a small green sign with white lettering. It almost blends right in.

[@asleepeep]

You always hear of drunk drivers being remorseful and regretting what they had done. It's very frustrating because no matter how many of these incidents happen and no matter how much people regret their actions there are still going to be more drunk drivers and more incidents like this. Nobody learns until it's too late.

[@hippopajamas]

it's always so frustrating because EVERYONE knows not to drink and drive. People have to actively choose to ignore the risks because they DO know them. they just think "oh it won't happen to me" "i can handle my alcohol" "i can be careful". The choice is selfish and stems from hubris. Like, there isn't any wiggle room, you KNOW it is wrong.

[@texastea5686]

San Antonio seems to be notorious for drunk/wrong way drivers. Every time I turn on the news there's another death in the road =( drunk drivers suck. What sucks too is that they always survive.

[@bengitiger1292]

@@StainsStainsStains Not worth the risk. Hitch an Uber home and pick up your car the next day.

[@bengitiger1292]

@@StainsStainsStains the risk of killing yourself or someone else. get a friend to drive you then.

[@kenetickups6146]

Alcohol is a plaugue on society

[@Undercore-nx1fe]

I used to work in that county as an EMT. I worked with two medics that had responded to the call. They described the bodies being charred and unrecognizable. It also changed our departments way of handling mass causality events and resource management.

[@truthseeker2321]

As a trucker who doesn't live in that area, I've seen plenty of accidents just in that stretch of interstate, mostly at night. The fog can get unbelievably thick off of the Kentucky River , causing motorists who do have common sense, to slow down way lower than the speed limit. I remember one bad accident right at the bus tragedy site, where a car stuffed itself under the rear of a flatbed trailer that was moving slowly through the thick fog. He must have been going way faster than the 70 mph speed limit, which by the way, is too damn fast to be driving in that thick of a fog.

[@josiep1547]

My middle school math teacher was one of the surviving students in this accident, he goes around to the high schools in the area to give talks about drunk driving. It truly seems like it was a horrific experience for him, I couldn’t imagine.

[@pkennedy0219]

My cousin William J Nichols Jr died in that bus crash, he went by Billy. I wonder if your math teacher remembers him. What a tragedy.

[@josiep1547]

@@pkennedy0219 My math teacher actually sat one row behind your cousin on the other side of the aisle, I bet he would remember him :)

[@pkennedy0219]

@@josiep1547 that’s really cool, if you get a chance to ask about him I would like to know more about what they thought of him. I’m too young to remember much, I just remember he was cool. He was 17 and I was probably like 3-4, I just remember thinking he was a cool guy. He used to play with the young cousins. I remember I was excited to see him at his funeral because I didn’t understand. My parents said I asked “where is billy”.

[@sharksport01]

So sad about Billy, im glad you have good memories of him. And I bet that math teacher has saved many lives with the talks given to students.

[@genesisknight9948]

@@pkennedy0219 I'm so sorry for your loss

[@SpacePirateK]

This one hits close to home, like real close. The people in this wreck were from my hometown. I even had a teacher in middle school who survived the wreck that night and he always used the accident as a way to explain to the students how drunk driving can ruin your life and the lives of others.

[@trashman4444]

While I'm not " from " Radcliff , I did live at Ft. Knox 74-79, and am around the same age as many of the victims. When we heard about this event ( my Dad was stationed in Germany in '88 but still had friends in Radcliff and Muldraugh " it was world shattering to realize that kids I may have met 10 years prior were gone .

[@waltershumate5777]

I have a friend from wisconson that went to school with some of the children who lost thier fathers, and 1 an uncle from the Edmund Fitzgerald. Losses like those are so tough on the survivors.

[@notagarbage6728]

The problem is not drunk driving the problem is drinking when you guys will understand I don't think you will ever . thats why I m extra careful

[@maddieevans9637]

This was in my home town, my sister knew one of the survivors and he told her he carries a huge amount of guilt (as an adult) being one of the few surviors. He said that he still hears the screams of his friends dying in the accident. I also drove past it every day to go to school and the radio ALWAYS cut out when I passed the marker.

[@cohengamertv6548]

Paranormal activity

[@RoseGma]

I'm not a morbid person, just very curious and I enjoy learning about historical events. This is one I remember. Such an unnecessary tragedy. Thanks for sharing this so it can remind us all to watch out for the other guy when you are driving and to NEVER drink and drive!

[@vinawaldren6888]

Yes, from Ohio, I remember this too.

[@Unownshipper]

I don't think it's macabre to learn about these minor and tragic incidents. In fact, I think it speaks well of you to want to learn of these events so the dead are not forgotten. Plus, this series makes one appreciate life more, I feel.

[@skygalvan1880]

Read the definition

[@CoasterMan13Official]

@@Unownshipper it does. Life is short, but you gotta make the best of it.

[@Sashazur]

I think it’s normal human nature to be interested in disasters, it’s an instinct to learn from mishaps to try to avoid future disaster. So you don’t necessarily have to be a creepy weirdo to rubberneck at an accident etc.

[@alanbryant8457]

I remember this. I can truly say "I understand the survivors pain." 5 years earlier 1983. On 75 south bound Ky a drunk drivers trailer came off and crossed center median hitting us head on. I was 9yrs old and my older sister died in front of me. Sometimes I go to church. But 1988 with all the children I saw on the news. I got on my knees to pray for the kids. It's not easy to get through at their age.

[@leeriches8841]

So sorry that happened to your family. Hope you're doing well these days, it can't have been easy to process seeing something like that. Take care

[@megatuanis]

So sorry for your loss and for the entire experience you've endured.

[@Dat-Mudkip]

No disrespect intended, but how does the trailer coming off relate to the driver being drunk? Did he swerve so violently it came undone, or was he wasted when he attached it?

[@alanbryant8457]

@@Dat-Mudkip Your question is understandable. I respect that. He did time. Trailer safety chains wasn't hooked up. Trailers running lights and brake lights wasn't hooked up. Plus he hit other cars in northbound lane.

[@Dat-Mudkip]

@@alanbryant8457 Good grief...

[@Cincinnatus1869]

I'm from Ohio County Indiana, just about 25 minutes from Carrollton and was a high school freshman when this happened. It was absolutely awful to hear about it. It's still the most terrible traffic accident I've ever heard of. We had a substitute teacher one day about a year later who was one of the motorists who was at the scene. I can tell you with all credibility that a lot of us who lived in the area had a different view of the dangers of driving drunk . There were plenty of people who thought Larry Mahoney should have been locked up for the rest of his life.

[@user-zs9ux1ru8u]

Ahh nothing better than starting the day with a cup of tea and a dose of an insightful tragedy

[@adamdiek]

lol love it

[@jonathancarlson6127]

As a kid: Cartoons. As an adult: Disaster mini-docs.

[@punkybrewstar83]

I'm currently procrastinating going to sleep here lol

[@GunnerRDS]

Tea in the morning?!

[@anzai7074]

I’m ending my day haha

[@andreamarksberry345]

My ex was on his way home from work and stopped to try and help people escape the bus before 1st responders arrived. He is scarred from what he witnessed to this day and very rarely speaks of it. He lives in Carrollton, worked at NAS for years and knew Larry Mahoney. He hates to be reminded of it. I can only imagine how terrible it was. So sad.

[@davidhollenshead4892]

Please thank him for his efforts!!!

[@fumanpoo4725]

Yes. Please let him know even people he will never know appreciate him trying.

[@OlJarhead]

My cousin was two cars behind the bus. He was with his girlfriend, also returning home from a day at Kings Island. I was watching the news coverage of the crash and there was Troy being interviewed by a news channel from Louisville. He had a shell shocked look on his face and was clearly tramatized by the event, telling about trying to get the kids out the back of the bus. I later asked him about it, and he refused to even talk about it.

[@cebbi1313]

Have any other fans of this channel found themselves becoming hyper aware of emergency exits and fire hazards?

[@bladergroen]

YEP. I always check where the nearest emergency exit is, wherever I am, and I even scan my surroundings to see if anything's made of flammable material.

[@donwoodward7944]

Totally. My son rides a special needs bus to school every day. I'm going to be giving it the once-over this morning...

[@reachandler3655]

Yes, I'm also hyper aware that being in a wheelchair not only reduces my chances of escape, but would probably cause significant problems for others in the event of an emergency, so resign myself to waiting til everyone else is out, with the knowledge that may well be a death sentence.

[@ibahart3771]

I always was. I've been the "annoying health-and-safety nag" in every workplace I've had

[@cebbi1313]

@@reachandler3655 Emergency protocol for disabled patrons: In event of fire, politely burn to death. Funny, the protocol for covid was roughly the same.

[@whitewolf8051]

"Hey, you're too drunk to drive!" "Its alright, I'm just going to drive." "Oh alright that's fine then."

[@F3udF1st]

He would've convinced me too, speech 100.

[@pollypockets508]

I know. Crazy.

[@sideswipe604]

I can only assume that his friends were also drunk and not thinking straight.

[@georgedoughly8682]

His friends are very stupid 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@FrostySumo]

Yeah what the fuck those friends of his have to have some of the blame for this. It's one thing if your friend decides to drive drunk and you don't realize it it's another if you know they're too drunk and you take their keys away. At that point you taking on the responsibility to make sure that person does not drive (exceptions of course if they steal the keys back or find another way to drive). Call them a cab. From what my parents say people were really nonchalant about drunk driving when they grew up. It's a big deal. Probably one of the worst drugs you could drive on.

[@laurabaker8832]

I was living in Cincinnati when this accident occurred. Personally, I would not have let Mahoney out of prison until he had served a year for every life he took. It wasn't a mistake. He made a deliberate choice to drive drunk.

[@pcguy13x]

i remember the day he was released, 09-01-1999. i was so pissed. his sentence was not strong enough, and then still let him out early. he served less than 6 months per person that died. i was hoping he would have been charged 27 counts of murder, and had gotten life. i remember being shocked he was charged with 27 counts of manslaughter instead.

[@StrazdasLT]

He is a mass murderer. The only correct punishment is a capital one.

[@aceclover758]

@@pcguy13x because it was manslaughter, not murder

[@UncleKennysPlace]

But he didn't make the deliberate choice to take lives. And that's the point.

[@UncleKennysPlace]

@@aceclover758 Yep. Emotion doesn't belong in the justice system (though lawyers on both sides use it all the time.)

[@foxracing8973]

As a kid in the 90s in the US, I remember my school bus having the same windows that you described. They had 2 small tab things you had to push in towards the middle with both hands. As a kid it took all the strength you had to get them open, if you were even strong enough in the first place to do it, which a lot of kids weren't at that age. They would constantly get stuck or one of the tab things would break and you couldn't even open them..

[@con6951]

God that’s terrible

[@daffers2345]

I hated those windows. My sibs and I went to private school up through 3rd grade, and the bus ride home was nearly two hours with a bus change at the high school. I was always too small and weak to open the windows myself, so I roasted a lot on those buses. I can't imagine what would have happened if there was a fire, especially on those older buses they used back in the day.

[@andrewware8292]

Do they not still use those? How are they now?

[@briannem.6787]

@@andrewware8292 In most countries, school buses are normal city buses with the top part of the window being hinged inwards by 45 degrees to let air in and stop arms being stuck out. In America, I imagine they have some one-handed latch and an oiled metal track to let the window slide easily instead of jamming (how innovative... a metal track!) Those American school buses are scary. Those things scream "the lowest-cost bidder built this"! Why don't they buy normal buses but with more seats and less standing room, like school buses in Australia? When the school run isn't being done, they can be used for other purposes like excursions by schools and aged care facilities, tourism, spare buses to run bus routes, etc.

[@mommyjohnson3306]

I remember in my HS days, '09-'12 they had these same types of windows

[@moonfox8061]

A survivor of the accident actually paid my school a visit once a few years ago. It was quite sad and informative when you hear about it from a first hand account.

[@XvlerLorenzo]

I remember one time on the anniversary of this, all the survivors got together on a bus similar to the one in the accident and sat where they were seated at the time of the accident to remember the victims.

[@leeriches8841]

@@XvlerLorenzo god, that's so sad 😔

[@keithseadler2506]

We get to let it fade into the background, can you imagine the pain they feel daily

[@aba4055]

These videos are such an important reminder for me to never do anything dangerous in the mindset of "it'll probably be fine!"

[@hallows7568]

As someone who has been in the area several times, I heard many things about this story. Along with it, I could've never been born as a result. Both of my parents had the opportunity to be on the trip, but because of the circumstance of strict parents (my grandparents) , they hadn't ended up going. It really is interesting how much this ended up changing how people treated busses and the trips after.

[@escapedcops08]

Your parents are brother and sister? That makes sense given the locals in the area.

[@hallows7568]

@@escapedcops08 lmao no. They both just had parents that were strict

[@nickkerr5714]

Did they conceive you on this day?

[@hallows7568]

@@nickkerr5714 nop

[@aloysiusdevanderabercrombi470]

@@escapedcops08 Quit with the disrespectful stupidity.

[@vespurrs]

I'm sitting on my school bus somewhere outside Cincinnati, on layover while I wait to pick up my third route for the morning. This one hits very close to home, being born and raised in this area. I was a senior in high school when this happened, and I remember everyone looking and feeling like a zombie the next day, not quite able to believe what happened. It was a shocking and devastating loss, but one I also haven't thought about in a long time. Now as I sit here on my bus with all its safety features and multiple emergency exits, I can only hope that no one experiences anything like that ever again.

[@RealBradMiller]

I got to know every one of my bus drivers through the years. Thanks for all you do!

[@vespurrs]

@@RealBradMiller I did the same! I think they were a greater influence on me than they realized. Thank you so much for your kind words - they made my day! :)

[@brandycarter9829]

When I was a child in elementary school, the bus driver that drove my route home from school was an older man, in his 60s probably, who always gave me a piece of candy, (Atomic Fireballs, to be exact) during the ride home. He always had a bag of them under his seat. He was a friendly & caring man, and I always liked to sit right behind him. My home was the bus’s last stop, I grew up in the country and was literally the last kid off the school bus. If I dozed off, he would wake me up and tell me I was home. This would’ve been in the early to mid 90’s, and now as an adult that man & his Atomic Fireballs remain a fond memory. I do not know that man’s name, but his kindness has stuck with me my entire life ❤️

[@gyarubrainrotter5280]

As someone who is a good 30 minutes away from Kings Island, I know how fun that place is. It breaks my heart to know how such a fun day turned into a tragedy.

[@JorgensZelda]

Safety laws are certainly written in blood. The loss of life required to make these kinds of changes just baffles and saddens me.

[@faizalf119]

At least USA change their law to prevent tragedy. In some countries including mine rule might not be changed even when there's blood involved because our lawmakers are either lazy or morons

[@8bitorgy]

And some in bribes

[@mjustjeanette7026]

And sadly even accidents that could easily have been anticipated still won't cause changes until blood is spilled.

[@Bandit69ply]

Amen to that! It certainly did baffle me also. It disgusts me really to be honest!

[@vintagedot8350]

This is gonna sound weird but do you watch Internet Today? They said that exact statement in a video recently

[@cerealtiller]

Petrol can be Ignited by a single Spark...Diesel needs high temperature as well to set it alight...that is why Diesel Boats are so popular.

[@donbrashsux]

Yeah crazy having petrol engines in Buses Diesel engines are the only way to go in every aspect ..sad

[@ethribin4188]

@@donbrashsux the problem with diesel is its smoke. Unlicke gasoline, whichs dangerous materials can easily be filtered by catalysts, diesel greats microdust. It is extreemly hard to filter, and settles in your lungs permanently if breathed in. Very unhealthy. Also, diesel is more expensive as it needs more steps to produce. Gasoline and Diesel both have their place But both also have their downsides

[@andrewthomson]

@@ethribin4188 diesel is a by-product of gasoline production

[@natefessler3961]

@@ethribin4188 Couple of things: 1) Most diesel engines produced since 2001 have been fitted with catalytic converters. 2) Diesel is pulled from distillation columns at a lower level than gasoline, requiring LESS energy and time to produce. Oh, and @Peter Wootton, pressure rather than temperature is the significant factor in diesel ignition. You can hold an open flame right on a pool of diesel and it won't ignite.

[@thenerdsentertainmentchann7922]

whay you expect from a compagny that have given money for is birthay to adolf hitler ?

[@lauratorres7335]

One of my professors in grad school was a Chaplin at the military base, he went with the families to try and id the children. He was telling the story to our class in 2010 and you could see how much it still impacted him. He said there was never an excuse for drunk driving.

[@animeanakin2304]

My middle school girlfriend knew a lot of those kids. I'll never forget seeing her in tears at school the next morning. I grew up in Louisville, KY and Kings Island was a place we visited often. It should be noted that there is a sign and memorial on the interstate where the crash occured.

[@kittikat4124]

Yep, I see it every time I head to Ohio, and every time my heart sinks just a bit for the lives never lived

[@restless4400]

Yes whenever I pass this sign my heart breaks for the driver and these children.

[@why110]

Why did you have a girlfriend in middle school

[@animeanakin2304]

@@why110 I was also in middle school.

[@TileGuyJesse]

John Hammon sacrificed his life fighting the fire in the front of the bus to buy time for those in the rear of the bus to hopefully get out, including his daughter. What a hero.

[@davidcox3076]

He jumped to action and did the best he could. But ultimately the circumstances were all against him.

[@wiretamer5710]

Its true, but in all fairness, the fire didn't give him the time to make such a decision. He was caught in a fireball. This was a worst case scenario. Despite what the movies show us, fuel takes on vehicles are very unlikely to cause a major fire as a result of a collision. This a very unusual and tragic event, that has almost disappeared in recent decades because of modern fuel tank designs. Tanks today are designed to brake loose on impact and get squashed, rather than burst open.

[@guardiane]

This totally reminds me of an incident I could have been a part of...a few years ago, I was driving home late at night. There was virtually nobody on the road and I've driven this route 100 times. I came to a stop light and there was one car in front of me. The light goes green, the car in front starts to go but then suddenly stops. I was about to honk when suddenly another car races through the intersection, through the red light. Had the guy in front of me not noticed that other guy coming, who knows what would've happened. So many things went through my head...what if I was the car in front and just went when the light turned green? What if I was just a few seconds later at that intersection? At the speed that other asshole was going at, I would have been dead for sure. Why do these things happen? What possess people to drive while intoxicated even after knowing how f'n stupid it is? I simply don't get it...

[@daniellinehan63]

Always look both ways If the guy behind you honks.....who cares

[@kriscampbell2327]

Similar thing happened to me just a few months ago. 2 cars, mine being one of them, were in 2 parallel left turn lanes waiting for the left turn signal to turn green. It turned green and the car to my right started to go, then stopped. So I hesitated from pulling out into the intersection to turn left. This car zoomed past us, running the red light and turned left in front of us, just barely missing my front left fender. Had I pulled out the red light running car would have slammed into the passenger side of my car. My 72 year old husband was sitting there. This car was going really fast. It was night and rainy. It still makes me sick to my stomach. We stay home most nights. Driving is stressful.

[@tezzanoia]

@@kriscampbell2327 November 2020, 2 days before my birthday I was out with my partner to get a birthday present for me. On the way back it was dark and raining a lot, so the sight wasn't good at all. We stopped at a t-junction as we wanted to turn left. It looked like the other cars went that direction too and the way this junction was made meant that we had right of way and the other cars had to wait. So my partner started to turn. Then everything went blank for a moment, the world around us crashed. Next thing I knew was that the car was standing in the middle of the street, facing the direction we just came from. The right side of the front of the car was crashed completely, right where the truck had hit us. If my partner had started driving a second or two sooner, I wouldn't be able to type this anymore. From what we've been told it's pretty sure the other driver was too fast for the weather conditions and bad sight, it was literally a white van and we didn't see it coming. Since then, I sometimes get panic or anxiety attacks when in a car with someone, especially when the situation seems unclear and potentially dangerous - while living in an are where people are known for their bad driving behavior. And after all, I've still been incredibly lucky, we both have, as we survived and only had some mild injuries and trauma from it, nothing more

[@cronobactersakazakii5133]

As a biker with no frame, airbags and seatblet to protect me, I learned to trust no traffic lights, no signal, no priorities

[@rachelgarcia4301]

What happens is the drunk isn't in control any more: the alcohol is. (He's responsible, of course.) His judgement is impaired. The wrong is continuing to drink when you KNOW you're driving home, not only getting in the car later.

[@Arcademan09]

"they took the keys from the drunk driver" Ok so did he steal a car or steal the keys back-- "They gave the keys back to him when he promised to drive home" Those are some real crappy friends

[@InventorZahran]

Friends don't let friends drive drunk!

[@Z0RDR4CK]

they were probably under influence either. and i can tell, you are very small minded then. i won't say it was their fault, but they made it _possible._ very sad story.

[@Arcademan09]

@@Z0RDR4CK I don't know man if they called a cab or made an effort to have a designated driver there's a bigger chance this wouldn't have happened. None of my friends ever let any of us drive drunk and if we're gonna drink as a group we always set a designated driver to take us home safely or use an Uber

[@janicesullivan8942]

Those that gave the keys back, should have all been charged as accomplices.

[@StainsStainsStains]

Theyre alright. I mean, guy had to get his car home and buy more booze. What were they supposed to do?

[@kittikat4124]

Thank you for covering this! I grew up in Kentucky and we had a survivor of this accident talk to us our senior year about the dangers of drunk driving. The biggest thing I remember is him describing watching the one up front burst into flames and once he was out, he looked back into the bus and saw his friends lifeless and burning in a mass of blackness. He also said he blames the friend who gave the guy his keys equal to the amount he blames the driver himself. Theres a documentary on this accident if anyone is interested in hearing more

[@prussiasaurusrex2707]

Also from Kentucky, same thing happened at our school. The week leading up to prom had a huge focus on drunk driving, and I remember this incident being one of the ones they mentioned. They do it every year at my old high school.

[@allybecker1006]

You should cover the limo accident that happened in Schoharie, NY a few years ago. The court case has recently wrapped up (not the outcome anyone wanted but you know). It definitely feels like something this channel would cover.

[@daffers2345]

He has an email in the description where you can suggest things. Go ahead, he might do it!

[@StainsStainsStains]

Felt bad for the two poor people that were just coming out of the store, they were innocent.

[@jeffwoods4406]

@@daffers2345 yeah definitely email him, he responds to every one (I know from personal experience)

[@joela8839]

The many crush videos on FH and the Astroworld disaster sadly reminds us what happens when we don't learn from others mistakes

[@charlotteinnocent8752]

I would love it if someone added up all the crushing disaster deaths and showed what could have helped all in one report. Seems there always is a new story happening even after previous disasters where steps have been taken to "prevent such a tragedy ever happening again."

[@LMB222]

English. Do you speak it?

[@joela8839]

@@LMB222 do you need it simplified? No shame in it

[@danw2112]

Plus the American football player who drove drunk and killed that young woman in Las Vegas last week.

[@saraz5635]

@Joby Fluorine on that subject, too*

[@dr.archaeopteryx5512]

I was sad about all the children already when the video began, but seeing the survivor look relatively happy kinda made me feel a bit less bad. I hope he and his co-survivors are at least living their best lives now.

[@geoffcook1446]

I have driven by a marker on -I71, which just reads 'Site of fatal bus crash May 14 1988' but until now, never knew the circumstances. Thank you for this video. May the souls lost that evening find eternal rest, and their family, friends, and survivors find peace.

[@AEMoreira81]

The memory still is searing to this day.

[@whisperingleaves4157]

As a commercial bus driver of 15+ years I’ve driven all types of buses including school buses and never thought much about how the many safety features came to exist. This gives me a greater appreciation for the lost lives, legal battles, and carefully analysis that has gone into developing the life saving features of modern buses.

[@jaysmith1408]

This is likely the main reason I won’t drive a gasoline bus. I used to drive the oldest buses in the fleet, since they were going to gasoline, due to emissions.

[@whisperingleaves4157]

@@jaysmith1408 That’s interesting, I’ve never even seen a gasoline bus! All the ones here in Ontario are diesel or diesel electric.

[@jaysmith1408]

@@whisperingleaves4157 yep, Blue bird is going back to Gasoline, i forget whether they’re using the Ford Triton (probably the Godzilla now) or the GM Vortac. Both are available for conversion to gas, but many are being run on gasoline. Cheaper mechanics, no emissions outside of the cats. My old city had university shuttles run with Blue Bird All Americans with the ISL diesel in the rear, but the contract was under cut by the cab company, who runs it with Ford F650 cutaways with the Triton (propane powered to match the cabs I think). With exception of some older buses in the hospital park and ride system, which are Econoline Diesels (a few still gasoline) some Chevrolet Kodiaks (Duramax) and my absolute favourite, the International DuraStar with the MaxxNoise, they are Ford F450’s with the CNG Triton (the largest and newest buses are Freightliner M2’s, came around after I left, I assume it’s just a diesel ISB).

[@whisperingleaves4157]

@@jaysmith1408 Terrified of gasoline… ⛽️

[@valeriataylor8337]

Ford accepted to pay 40mi for the victims' families but refused to pay 1$ and build safer buses. It would cost tem much more, obviously. Companies are not concerned about your safety if it will not mean revenues.

[@hengineer]

No, I think it was more the fact that finding and retrofitting older busses would have been nigh impossible because of the second hand nature of used busses. Good luck finding them all.

[@ddichny]

They did build safer buses. What they declined to do was do recalls on vast numbers of old buses of numerous model years, styles, and designs and do massive rebuilds on them all that probably would have cost more then providing new buses. It's not easy to do major retrofits on old vehicles, and having to figure out how to do it on probably 50+ different models would be an immense undertaking of its own, as each model would be a different case and require different parts, mechanic training, etc. etc., not to mention the problem of trying to track down the current owners of tens of thousands of old vehicles that have likely changed hands over and over again, in order to notify them about the recall and then try to entice them to hand over their vehicle for multiple weeks while the retrofits take place. It's really just not feasible even aside from the massive cost.

[@user-re4jf2sb4q]

I'm not familiar with these buses, How old was this particular one when the crash happened?

[@blue_lancer_es]

@@user-re4jf2sb4q 1977.

[@kyleh3615]

Usually I'm against major companies 8n general, but to post a recall AND find all the buses would be very difficult. It wouldn't be hard to actually do the retro fit

[@terriatca1]

The part that got to me was when the drunk drivers friends took away his keys because they were concerned, but gave it back to him when he said he would drive straight home. I know he is completely at fault, but where do his "friends" responsibilities lay?

[@yvonnethomas5118]

Same I was thinking.. they should've never given his keys back.Smh

[@phattjohnson]

Complicit to a crime from where I'm standing! Even if they don't get thrown into prison I believe some examples needed to be made so others didn't make similar mistakes!

[@raoulcruz4404]

Classmates had to take the keys of a drunk friend many years ago. He was pissed. Threatened bodily harm. He eventually walked home. Two teenagers died near where I live. The guy was drunk. He wanted his girlfriend to ride with him. The sister of the girlfriend tried to keep her from going, to point there was a struggle and she ended up pulling the girl’s coat off. As she slipped out of the coat, she hopped into the car. Just a short time later , the guy and his girlfriend were dead after the car struck a tree.

[@kehberlin]

As soon as you put up the date, I knew what was coming. As a 10-year-old Kentuckian at the time, I vividly remember overhearing my aunt telling my mom what had happened and being horrified learning how those kids died. The buses changed after that, and I always associate the new exits with this horrible tragedy.

[@v-town1980]

The title of the video didn't give you a clue?

[@ironnoah9461]

@@v-town1980 Well maybe they only knew the date and not the title of the incident?

[@leeriches8841]

@@v-town1980 no need to act smart here

[@PokingAngel]

I have to say, your channel as really given me the insight to think critically of recent tragedies. Such as Astroworld. I know a lot of people are solely blaming the singer but as more and more reports come out, it's clear there were lots of parties to blame and they should all be held accountable. It'll be interesting to see over the coming months how that will be handled. The victims deserve justice.

[@kittikat4124]

The biggest blame should be with Live Nation for severely understaffing the event, in my opinion. Yes Travis Scott holds some blame, especially since he has a history of inciting violence and disrespect in his crowds, but the organizer is the biggest. The second people rushed the gates is the second the event should have been paused until they could get more personnel and better knew the number of people they were dealing with in and outside of the venue. Also hate that the one camera guy is being called a murderer. He couldnt have done anything. He shouldnt have threatened to throw the girl off his stand, but her being up there was itself a safety hazard and, like I said, there was nothing he could have done. Ive grown up going to concerts and festivals in the rock and metal scene, but I also work in the field and have plenty of friends and acquaintances who have worked larger crowds than astroworld and even they say the primary blame should be with Live Nation. Theyre one of the biggest employers in the country for festivals and such, so if they crash because of this, itll suck for the industry that already still struggling, but I hope it opens up some eyes higher up in the company to not cut corners like they have a habit of doing.

[@natatatt]

Thought of this channel as soon as I saw the Astroworld news. There have been a few crowd/crush related videos on this channel - thought of how the people at Astroworld would have suffered horribly.

[@olliefoxx7165]

@@kittikat4124 No, the biggest culprit is Travis. He has a history of inciting his audience to act wild and has been fined for doing so in the past. The bulk of the blame is on him. He's not the only one responsible but he alone controlled the mood and actions of the fans. His past conduct is a huge factor in that tragedy.

[@hunkyfunkyletsgetmonkey7464]

I thought of this too. All we can hope for now is it will never happen again, and there will be an increased standard for healthcare at festivals.

[@josephm8294]

Thanks Kylie. Send Kim and your sisters my regards. We know you still want to rule social media as role models. Ever thus to deadbeats.

[@joekursch973]

Thank you for making this and helping remember the event and those hurt by it. My cousin was one of the 27 who died in this disaster. It left a huge hole in our family, as I'm sure it did for so many others.

[@PaleHorseShabuShabu]

Friends: "No, you're too drunk to drive. We're taking your keys." Drunk: "But I'll drive straight home!" Friends: "Alright, that makes all the difference. We totally trust you and your driving ability now!"

[@missclaire8673]

Technically they didn't give him the beer. He bought it on his own But his friends were incredibly stupid to still hand him the keys

[@kyliepechler]

I wonder how difficult the guilt his friends must have felt was to deal with. The act of giving their drunk friend his car keys back, inadvertently resulted in the deaths of 27 people.

[@metallicarabbit]

they didn't give him beer for the road

[@Callsign_Prophet]

Probably lived around the corner and dropped all his skill points into charisma

[@Gl-my8fw]

They shpuldnt have but still it isnt their responsibility to fight someone over it.

[@mishalesauer5074]

Funny how despite the tragedies and somber topics, watching these videos really helps turn a crappy day around Really grateful for this channel existing ❤️

[@kathyjones1576]

That is true. Even though he covers disasters, I love seeing a notification that I have a new video to watch. He does tell about any changes that came out of it though, so he ends them on a positive note. It's also nice that he tells the stories in a respectful way, with no dramatics.

[@shitsquirrel9]

@@kathyjones1576 Respectful without dramatics is probably the main reason his channel is so good and so sucessful. He keeps his content simple, quality, and entertaining. I dont know I want to watch these, but I learn a lot. The most preventable disasters I learn about the less faith I have in humanity and the more aware and cautious I become.

[@kathyjones1576]

@@shitsquirrel9 yes, I agree. He puts so much detail into these short documentaries, he does it respectfully, just plain old good storytelling. I'm surprised he doesn't have more subscribers. I've been telling people about this channel, and I know I've got a couple interested.

[@NotAnAngryLesbian]

I was stationed at Knox when this happened. Radcliffe is next to Knox Locally, the world stopped. Some soldiers lost their entire family in the crash. People placed black wreaths on the front of their cars and left them there for two years. Horrible.

[@CMBLXX]

I was a senior in high school when this happened. I can remember reading the newspaper articles, about how the driver had gone the wrong way down the interstate and I was just flabbergasted and that always stuck with me. I kept picturing that in my mind for some reason, because it seemed so impossible. I remember feeling so completely sad for the victims, and angry that the situation ever happened at all.

[@John-1984]

All the times I went to King's Island as a kid, I'm thankful I survived. Strange coincidence, but I just drove by the crash site yesterday coming back from Louisville, KY to Columbus, OH.

[@sarahewson3607]

I live in central Florida, an hour from Disney World. I remember driving on the interstate once and seeing a car accident, sheets covering the bodies strewn on the side of the road, and Disney balloons inside the car. It’s heartbreaking. A friend of a friend had a similar situation. They were driving to spend a weekend at Disney in celebration of their son’s seventh birthday. A truck going the opposite direction blew a tire and lost control, slamming into the family’s van. The only person injured, fatally, was the birthday boy. Accidents are bad enough, but when you think of the joy of the trip they were on, it’s almost too much.

[@bagaboiebailey]

It seems like a very safe park, it's just that Fascinating Horror has covered all 5 incidents across 3 videos; this was no action park, and something tells me he lives somewhere in Ohio considering the centralization of his coverage being centered in and around that state.

[@RealBradMiller]

Each year Leibert(Big manufacturing company in Ironton) took the employees to KI, and each year my grandma would say the same thing "I'll be damned, this is the last time, it's too hot!" Yet she'd go next year, and the next. I can't believe I rode Son of Beast so many times. Now you couldn't pay me to ride it, and I think it's gone anyways. Lol

[@thecarolinianrailfan8339]

I’ve actually drove past the exact location where that accident took place on I-71 while on vacation in Kentucky and Ohio in 2019 and even followed a route similar to the one the bus took, but heading from Louisville, KY to a Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, OH located right next to King’s Island. I hadn’t even heard about this incident until I watched this video. This incident showed some of the consequences of drunk driving - it can put your life, and possibly the lives of several others, in extreme danger. RIP to all the victims who died in that horrific crash.

[@theresapennington7584]

I remember this so well. I grew up in Northern Kentucky and was 8 when this happened. Whenever I drive past the accident site on 71 southbound I say a prayer for those who were killed.

[@heavymeadowdetective192]

I remember this happening when I was a kid. 25 years later I was working in Radcliff, KY with 3 guys who went to school with all those who died in the wreck. Glad you shed some light on this story. 👍

[@YokozunaNumber1]

I have family in Carrollton, and so I've seen the crash sight countless times. It's always a somber moment when I pass the sign that indicate the exact spot of the crash. 34 years later, the shadow of the tragedy still looms large over Carroll County.

[@soshiangel90]

parent: "hey Ford...can you just...do the right thing and make sure this doesn't happen to any other kids in the future?" Ford:...."uh..no. take your hush money or nothing."

[@quanage4296]

@@sed6657 why have a tone indicator lmao

[@davidhollenshead4892]

Ford only made the chassis for use as school buses as well as other purposes such as a stake side trucks. A different company entirely used the Ford chassis to build the school bus. The big issue is how cheap school districts are, by insisting on cheap gasoline powered school buses, not being willing to pay for seat belts, etc. etc....

[@nathanwilliams4005]

The hush money was probably much cheaper.

[@DolleHengst]

@@nathanwilliams4005 Yeah, like it was cheaper to let the Pinto's burn and compensate the victims or their families, then to make a small change to all Pinto's to significantly improve the car's safety...

[@squeakychairproductions6813]

Why should they have to? That was an older bus that was being held to modern standards. When you buy an older vehicle you know what you are getting.

[@joesjunkyard935]

As someone who lives really close to the accident, my county has a 98% conviction rate for drunk drivers

[@drexsamson3762]

I’m from Kentucky, and this story is still told every year to public school students across the state. I even got to meet a couple of the survivors when they came to speak at my school, what a terrible ordeal they had to live through Don’t drink and drive.

[@AEMoreira81]

I believe one of the survivors, or a parent of one killed, ended up becoming the national president of MADD as well.

[@gungirlftw]

I'm a school bus driver and when I was going through my training they talked alot about this accident due to how many safety standards it brought into effect. Also on most buses the fuel tank now sits between the frame rails down the length of the bus so it can't be punctured by a suspension spring like it did in this one. And while the seats are improved they will still completely burn in roughly 2 mins. Thats why bus fire drills have to be done so quick, you have to get everyone off in under 2 mins. Not to mention the seats will release toxic fumes when they burn due to the fireproofing.

[@equarg]

Yep. That’s why “fire resistant” not fire proof materials are used in most (like commercial) aircraft. At high altitudes, the fireproofing chemicals can evaporate into toxic fumes in low PSI environments. “Fire resistant” means it can resist flames and ignition for a certain time in most cases.

[@daniellebuehner8441]

I too drove school buses years ago and I remember hearing about this and also in our class room training we talked and viewed this video.of the crash.. we were taught to see farther ahead down the road to help prevent accidents like this from happening. I was sadden about the kids who died in that crash and I always put my kids first.. Driving a bus when its dark outside is dangerous if your not paying attention.. I always had a rule for my kids keep the noise level to a class room level or they wont get the music from the radio most of the time my kids were well behaved. and yet we practice our safety drills at least once a month and I would send letters to the parents letting them know of the day and also that they will be a few minutes late getting home. and in fact I had 4 kids in wheel chairs so my bus aide would help me getting wheel chair kids off the bus while we had a designated older student who shows good responsibility skills to watch the others close by to where we can see the kids.. .. yes I see newer buses are coming out with not just one roof hatch but 2 or 3 depending on size of the bus and 2 or 3 window exits on each side. our drills would practice opening and shutting of these but we did our exit out both front and rear exits. I hope only that kids in the future will be kept even safer then kids of yesterday.

[@communistpootisbirb]

" the seats will release toxic fumes when they burn due to the fireproofing" Ironic

[@forgenorman3025]

@@daniellebuehner8441 I was born in 84 and was in kindergarten in 89-90. I still remember doing a couple of fire drills even at that young age, never thought twice about it coming about from this tragedy. Thing is it wasn't sustained, could have just been my school system but after I think second grade we didn't have any more. Thank you for the care you show your kids, too many bus drivers didn't seem to care.

[@daniellebuehner8441]

@@communistpootisbirb actually they are coming with new fabrics and materials that are flame resistance but without the toxic chemical.. its better on a 2022 school than a 2002 school bus I remember the bus I rode to school and back had only one emergency exit the rear.. and also the service door and the windows were stationary no side exits or roof hatches and non flame resistance matierials on our seats.. of course in our district there were very few accidents involving a school how they do happen we had 2 or 3 in a 20 year span.. the first one I can remember when a cement truck was turning into the cement plant and slid on ice into a passing school bus and took out the driver's side fender and tire, then the next one was when a young girl went to stop behind the school bus with lights on also on ice slid into the back of the bus under the rear bumper, totalled her car out but not the bus but sadly if a school bus recieve over x amount of dollars in damage it was taken out of service, then. and last accident I can recall when our bus driver was approaching to a stop he had also slid into the ditch causing damage to the right front including service door. it too totalled the bus as it hit a tree and nearly tip over on its side. thankfully the tree kept us from flipping over .. but the bus was damaged to beyond repair.

[@cathychilders5109]

I remember this crash all to well, was living in Louisville, KY at the time. I was working the counter at a dry cleaners. One of our regular customers was a cop, he had been called to assist with the wreck. He brought his uniform in to be cleaned, his uniform was covered with ash and dried blood. He told us first hand what had happened. The young man that you quoted had become a University of Kentucky football player and was really good.

[@robertgeorgewerner]

I really appreciate how you try to look for good and hope in these horrible tragedies. I also appreciate when you point out that they're just isn't much that you can be positive about in one of these horrible stories. Thanks again for these wonderful humane characterizations of these tragedies makes me think and often makes me hopeful.

[@klauswolf9449]

The law is much too lenient on drunk drivers. Mr. Mahoney may not have driven with intent to kill, but anyone with any propriety or common sense knows what the effects of DUI may be. Casually accepting these for the benefit of personal pleasure was grossly negligent and should have been punished far more severely. A measly 4,5 months for each person who perished - not to mention those he scarred for life - is outrageous in my opinion and no effective deterrent to fellow-drinkers who exhibit equal egocentric indifference.

[@mrs.h2725]

Unfortunately the way the American justice system is set up is for profit, not protection of the public. They know statistically that DUI offenders are likely to reoffend, so they usually get little to no jail time. More arrests, more probation = mo money 💰. Had a friend who was a young mother of 4 killed by a drunk driver who’d already been arrested for 6 DUIs but always let off easy.

[@StainsStainsStains]

Youre kind of right. As someone who has driven when i shouldnt have many times in the past, this event hasnt made me feel ashamed of my actions nor make me fear legal repurcussions. I wouldnt want to live life with this hanging over my head though and thats probably the main deterrent for me.

[@StainsStainsStains]

@@mrs.h2725 "likely to reoffend" Theyre not though. A DUI charge WILL change your life significantly for the negative and it will follow you the rest of your life. A person who made a stupid decision one night and got pulled over slightly above the limit and faced the wrath of the legal system is unlikely to ever choose that option again and these types of people make up the majority of DUI incidents. Only the stupidest, most dedicated, "no F- given" people will reoffend. Also i dont know what state you live in but 3 or 4 DUI charges will result in never being able to legally drive again. Theres no way someone got a slap on the wrist for a 6th DUI charge. I dont know for sure but thats felony levels and Significant with a capital "S" jail time. Either they were driving illegally when that happened or the story is bs.

[@sludge4125]

@@mrs.h2725 Please provide those statistics.

[@muffs55mercury61]

There was a guy in 2008 who hit a van and killed five people (two kids, an aunt, uncle and a grandparent) not far from me. It was his 7th DWI offense. He got 25 years but was paroled around 2016. He would be in his 50s now, lot of living left while the five others are dead.

[@JeffLMB]

"No Ford, I dont want your money, just promise me to update your existing buses so this doesnt happen again" Ford: "OUTRAGEOUS!!! We will not!!!"

[@glidershower]

_"Shut up and take my hush money!"_

[@malice6081]

In school buses over a certain weight they don't need seatbelts due to them taking a while to stop after an accident so seatbelts are useless unless they flip.

[@DavidCurryFilms]

Something something, Pinto, something...

[@stanmann356]

It was cheaper for Ford to pay off the victims

[@morgan-jadeironworks8313]

@@malice6081 I was just referring to seat belt use in Passanger cars/trucks. Not busses

[@NoraDollbaby]

I live in KY and have driven past this spot many times. My mom told me the story and I just remember being horrified even as a child. It is a story EVERYONE in the area knows. Completely tragic. Not sure if this is true, but my mom said the drunk driver was an alcoholic after his daughter died of a terminal illness. I felt bad for everyone involved in this incident.

[@fresagrus4490]

Being an alcoholic doesn't mean you are a bad person. Drunk driving means.

[@ameliasparkles13]

Omg I totally forgot about this one. That’s why we need people like you to keep the memories of these events and it’s victims in our minds so we may continue to learn from them.

[@stevphiericardo2790]

I respect that one family refused the compensation, their beloved kid wont comeback to life with the money they'd get. Rip to their kid and other dead victims

[@nickkerr5714]

I’d feel guilty possessing anything bought from the money. Most probably would accept the money, and I dont blame them, but I couldn’t stand accepting money as compensation for a loved ones life. I think I’d burn it or bury it somewhere I wouldnt remember before I used it to buy stuff for myself Edit: I think I would take it from the responsible party though, make them feel the repercussions albeit minor in comparison

[@leeriches8841]

@@nickkerr5714 my family is getting compensation money for the murders of our relatives, my mother is spending her share to travel and experience things they never got the chance to do. An aunt is giving her share to a relevant charity. I don't know what I'm going to do with mine but I'm definitely not going to just waste it.

[@megatuanis]

There's nothing wrong with accepting and spending money acquired from a settlement after a relative's death. Feeling guilt, or even worse, making others feel guilty for enjoying that money, that's what's wrong. Refusing compensation doesn't automatically make someone more noble than the ones who accept it.

[@stevphiericardo2790]

@@megatuanis Different sentimental values, I'd get haunted if I bought things with the thoughts that I got it from my own kid's blood and especially live.. Not even worth, no matter how poor my family is... not even

[@megatuanis]

@@stevphiericardo2790 Donate it to a shelter or nursing home, start a non-profit, create a charitable organization, build a house for a homeless family, etc. All of these are wonderful ways to honor someone's memory. Zero guilt.

[@texasbluegrass567]

This happened where I grew up. I remember this like it was yesterday. I know people who handled the crash. They never got over it. The seats were so flammable that the children and the seats became one solid mass. They had to take the bus to the local national guard to separate the children from the bus. Such a horrific accident. The guy that hit the bus is out now. Apparently everyone loves him and swears he has lived through hell and is truly sorry. I hope he no longer drinks. 😔

[@amberkat8147]

Honestly I don't know how anyone could cope with that kind of trauma without drinking. In his shoes I might hope to never again be clear-headed enough to be able to clearly remember what I did. But I hope he never drinks and drives again. How hard is it to do your drinking at home when you aren't planning to go anywhere?

[@kaydenallsebrook9351]

I don't think you can say that the drivers actions weren't intentional when he actively got behind the wheel of the car while Intoxicated. He may not have meant to hurt anyone but he knowingly decided to drive despite the obvious and well known risks of driving drunk

[@DrFluffyNips]

That part of the video really bugged me. You don’t accidentally drink and drive, it was 100% intentional

[@CheshireCat-cm1si]

Kayden Allsebrook I was shocked that his friends gave the keys back to him.

[@Helladamnleet]

Especially after they already took his keys and he had to lie about going straight home to get them back.

[@kukumalu255]

@@DrFluffyNips while it's obviously intentional, people do most of the stupid shit while being drunk.

[@StrazdasLT]

@@kukumalu255 The easiest way to improve safety standards everywhere is to simply remove alcohol.

[@lisablais7913]

Just reading through the comments and I can't believe how many people have stories of knowing survivors or of growing up in the area. It's amazing how many were affected.

[@jessieobscura]

Thank you for telling this story. I grew up in Kentucky, and one of the things I'm very proud of them doing is requiring buses to have so many more emergency exits and safety features. I believe it had a widespread effect, as bus manufacturers probably chose to implement the features in all buses rather than make separate models for one state. There was another school bus accident in Kentucky that left 27 dead, in 1958 in Prestonsburg, KY. The bus clipped a wrecker on a narrow road while taking children to school, and plunged into the Big Sandy River. The water was so high it took them 53 hours to find the bus, as the current was strong and took it away. Three families lost all of their children in one morning. The disaster led to the formation of a local emergency & rescue squad that still exists today.

[@dexter023]

I am a School Bus Driver and I never knew this was the reason. Very enlightening!!!

[@Anfidurl]

Oh wow! That's not even that well known I'm my home state anymore. So glad to see it getting recognition again. Thank you so much.

[@movieholic-92]

Have you covered the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash? It happened in Canada, I believe, but we heard about it in the States. Keep up the great work, man!

[@Ordostank]

"Ford refused the offer." - a phrase scarier than the disaster itself.

[@TikiOperator]

"God made the world, then gave man all it needed to live without worry or problems - then man made money."

[@hengineer]

The only thing I can think of is it would be impossible to find and recall every single bus, not just the monetary aspect.

[@charlotteinnocent8752]

Yeah that was sickening to hear!

[@charlotteinnocent8752]

@@hengineer No, it was the monetary aspect they had in mind when they rejected the offer sadly.

[@ddichny]

@@charlotteinnocent8752 See my reply to a similar post -- you're drastically underestimating the enormous logistical difficulty of doing so.

[@cyberleaderandy1]

It makes you wonder how many future lives were saved by those amendments to current and future busses, that happened as a result of this tragedy. Hopefully some good came of this terrible tragedy.

[@marvindebot3264]

Safety regulations are written in blood, always have been, always will be.

[@cyberleaderandy1]

@@marvindebot3264 very true. As improvements since the likes of the Clapham rail crash have shown.

[@Berchol]

Even before the end of the video I thought “if at least the fuel tank had diesel instead of gasoline”… glad to know it was adopted later on.

[@James-ft4bu]

Have not heard this one before, good find. Kings Island is crazy, from Lion attacks to groups being electrocuted to death in 2 feet of water due to an exposed wire, rollercoaster ejections, fires, and who knows what. I lived near as a child and rode the closed beast 2 many a time.

[@b-chroniumproductions3177]

But The Beast isn't closed...?

[@James-ft4bu]

@@b-chroniumproductions3177 son of beast is still running? Havent been to Kings island for a long time but was sure it had been closed.

[@b-chroniumproductions3177]

@@James-ft4bu son of beast is gone but the original Beast is still running

[@blazerocker1734]

I'll never forget that man's name. My family had taken a yearly trip to Kings Island since I was born in the 70s. We drove that interstate every time and our next trip would be in September of 88'. From then on those trips became just a tad less joyful. I can only hope that the story and the roadside markers at the accident site made people reconsider drinking and driving.

[@stacysams9043]

We drive by the memorial all the time. Everyone around here remembers it vividly. So awful.

[@hannibalbarca6308]

Friends: 'ok, promise to go straight home and not stop for more booze??' Super drunk alcoholic guy: 'i promise' Friends: ' ok heres your keys'

[@antiquesewist423]

16 years for 27 counts, and only serving 10, was rediculous. Especially when you add the DUI. People who rob banks and don't even harm anyone get like 40 to life

[@whoisjohngalt4880]

Yes. But you forget, people who rob banks are stealing federally insured FDIC cash. This costs the government money. In case you haven’t noticed….They throw the book at you for depriving the government of their money. Lol.

[@AliciaGuitar]

Wow.. i remember when our school switched to new buses and got rid of all those old ones. It was around 1990, which makes sense. Not long after my sister was in a serious bus accident. It could have been so much worse!

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

I remember "stiff and difficult to open" windows. I also remember a VERY noxious vinyl smell that probably was extremely toxic. Horrible, burnt rubber smell. I can only imagine having to WORK in the factory that made the seats. I once smelled a burnt speaker (a short, not a fire) and it smelled similar. Much like burnt bodies, not an odor you forget. It didn't look at all safe, even to a dumb kid like me.

[@jeffreyskoritowski4114]

Do you remember feeling the steel frames around the seats?

[@TheBlackScatPack]

When I was younger traveling on I-71 I would always see that sign when I was younger. This happened less than a month before I was born. It’s gut wrenching to actually hear the story of how it happened

[@MTMFan]

Now I see why they had us do bus safety as a kid! I was in grade school around this time.

[@katiefyock9607]

I remember having to do drills and jump out of the back of the bus.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

But still, no seat belts...eye roll

[@julesc1989]

I had no idea about this disaster but I’m glad they taught us like 6 ways to jump out of a bus during drills

[@yesterdaydream]

@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 One of my schools had buses with seat belts...we would loosen them as far as they'd go and then swing around in the sweats

[@MsMedford]

Same i remember too

[@Whisper_292]

I always find it interesting that people feel the need to apologize or make excuses for enjoying this channel and watching stories of other disasters. It's human nature to be fascinated with the macabre, whether fictional or real-life. Things like this make you feel alive, and it sparks the imagination and makes you think. There is nothing wrong with that interest, and there is no need to apologize or justify your interest. I remember exactly where I was when I heard about this accident. It was a huge tragedy for everyone, especially us in the Louisville area, and anyone who rode on a schoolbus before 1988 can imagine the difficulty of getting off that bus, if not the terror those kids felt. There is a sign marking the site of the crash to this day. Never forget.

[@articat568]

Being from Cincinnati I can only say, this story has been the one that they use to prevent drunk driving in kids since I can remember, Always stuck with me

[@plumdutchess]

"We're taking your keys, because you're in no state to drive! Oh, you're driving straight home? Allrighty, then. Here you go!" The driver is 100% at fault, but this could have been prevented if his friends had stuck with their first decision.

[@louisasmiles]

Have you tried arguing with a drunk? It's awful. No ex uses but it's awful.

[@snapcutter9596]

PlumDutchess, So true. True friends don't let friends drive drunk. Sorry, your comment, struck a nerve I purposely keep raw. I was never so humbled. A long while back. Attending a funeral of a Friend. Who, when he left this world. Took a Wife and her child. In a horrific senseless head on collision. Open casket. Hands crossed and a smile I'll never forget on his face. There were a a lot of folks there in the Sanctuary. People standing up and talking about all the crazy times they had had drinking together. I thank God I didn't have an opportunity to share an experience I had in mind. And make myself a fool. A gentleman walked up the isle to the casket and glared at him with such emotion. It's still vivid in my memory. Turns and addressed everyone. After putting a picture of he and his family on the casket. And began to talk about the Suicide Counciling he was receiving. Having everything he Lived for taken from him. And putting the blame squarely on us. Laughing and going on about the times being blasted together. Your not true friends for not helping this man into counseling. If you had. I would still have my family. He walked out, and the Pastor concluded the funeral. He had EVERY RIGHT to admonishe us. And Im thankful I still feel the shame. I felt that day, just sharing this. I only associated with the friend for a year or three or four. I was young and impressionable. My first apartment and all. The start of my being on my own. I'm thankful for the example of what Not to become. I knew, I knew he had a serious problem. And disasoseated myself. And went on with a responsible life. I should have at least tryed. Alcoholism is such a cruel disease. It not only effects the person but everyone associated. There is help available. If anyone knows anyone who needs it... I know that Father. Still has his Wife and Daughter with him. Always in his heart. So many years later. I'm sharing this experience for Them. That Father's very words. True friends don't let friends drink and drive.

[@RealBradMiller]

Over our friendship and my dead body would they get those keys back.

[@Duvmasta]

@@MrZoolook so he was a piece of shit then?

[@Duvmasta]

@@MrZoolook why is he by that virtue?

[@obfuscatethecode5696]

Thank you for covering this incident. I remember hearing about it as a kid but when we were driving from Kentucky I saw the plaque and looked it up on Wikipedia and I was horrified to hear learn all the details. Thank you for covering it in such a kind and respectful manner.

[@latebloomerabroad]

This is heartbreaking. I didn't know the details this accident before today, but I am friends with the parents of one of the children who was killed. There isn't a day that goes by that they are not reminded of their daughter. Although they have gone on to live their lives, this is a shadow that never leaves.

[@SlenderSingerSS]

I am from Covington, my Assistant Principle in high school was one of the survivors, I learned alot from him, and learned that quite a few of the kids ended up being bus drivers.

[@AlexWBell15]

I've driven by the roadside memorial for this accident MULTIPLE times in my life. I've always wondered what had happened, and I never thought I'd find out. Thank you for telling this story!

[@brentj.peterson6070]

Wikipedia.

[@rogerstoodley7113]

I am a resident of the city of St. John's Newfoundland Canada. Late in the afternoon of 8 July 1892, a small fire broke out in a St. John's stable after a lit pipe or match fell into a bundle of hay. Although containable at first, the flames quickly spread due to dry weather conditions, a disorganized fire department, and poor planning on the part of city officials. Within hours, the fire had destroyed almost all of St. John's, leaving 11,000 people homeless and causing $13 million in property damage. I would love to see your retrospective on this historical event in my home town. Love the channel watching since 2019...fantastic detail..

[@Rye_Smile]

I've been watching your content from almost the very beginning and I just have to say how much I enjoy your research and very thoughtful dissemination of the information. These subjects are difficult to watch, but you do the stories of the victims and their families justice. I'll never not watch Fascinating Horror. Thank you for your hard work!!

[@Roz-90]

I grew up in Louisville, KY, a city to the southwest of Cincinnati, OH. We would periodically go on our own bus trips King's Island, and we were told about this tragedy every time we passed where it happened. It's always eerie to pass the site.

[@Brian-mp2mv]

I'm glad he went on to explain that diesel was a better alternative than gasoline, and less explosive. That was my first thought when he mentions gasoline fire. I've lived in a 40' 1989 Retired Air Force Ambulance since 2016, although it is not driven regularly, I've got two diesel fuel tanks that are protected by large diameter thick walled pipe. Alternatively, it's got double doors at the back (for gurneys) and only 6 windows down each side which fully open as fire exits, instead of the smaller school bus style windows. I've found the mate to my bus online, but it's the only one.

[@laurelsilberman5705]

Jesus. Can you imagine drunk driving and as a result you wind up killing almost 30 people? My worst nightmare is getting in a sober driving accident that injures anybody; I cannot imagine how it felt waking up in the hospital and learning that the consequences of your actions now had a 27-person body count. Made me shudder. I’m glad buses were at the very least updated to be much safer. Another great video, my man! I wait for each upload. Your consistency of such a high quality is unparalleled when it comes to coverage of this topic. I like that you never just cover the accident; you also cover the resultant litigation(s) along with any changes that occurred in the wake of the tragedy. Keep it up. 👌🏽✨😁❤️

[@dellahicks7231]

Not that the driver of the semi that hit the Humboldt Broncos hockey team bus was impaired, but he was still sentenced to 8 years for pleading guilty to Dangerous Driving Causing Death & Bodily Harm. Sixteen people were killed, thirteen injured, in a crash that shook our province of Saskatchewan to its core, it happened approx 150 kms from my home on April 06, 2018. Sticks On The Ice Boys, RIP. 🏒

[@nicholasschroeder3678]

And he only served 10.years for it. Disgusting

[@laurelsilberman5705]

@@nicholasschroeder3678 I KNOW!!! Dude belongs behind bars forever for what he did. For shame.

[@23mrcash]

There’s a full documentary with victim testimony if you want more in depth. This as always is a great summary.

[@MissAddieMae]

Where can you find it? What’s the name?

[@luciw9928]

@@MissAddieMae There is a free app called Tubi where you can watch free movies, documentaries, etc with limited commercials. The documentary is called, “Impact After The Crash”.